Strawberry/Raspberry Dessert

Crust:
2 C. flour
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 C. butter or margarine
1/2 C. nuts
Mix like pie dough. Pat in 9x13 pan. Bake @ 275 for 15 minutes. Cool, crumble, press 3/4 in bottom of pan.
Cream Cheese layer:
2 8 oz cream cheese*
1 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz whipped topping*
Cream together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on crust.
Fruit topping:
1 pkg strawberry or raspberry Danish Dessert
1 3/4 C. cold water or juice
10 oz or more of strawberries or raspberries or a mix of berries
In medium sized pan, mix Danish Dessert and water, stirring constantly bring to a boil. Let boil one minute. Cool slightly, gently mix in berries. Spread on top of cream cheese.
Sprinkle remaining crust on top.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy.
*I have used low fat and non fat and it doesn't seem to affect the consistancy, just the carbs.

Salsa (aka Texas Caviar)

14 roma tomatoes

2 bunches long green onions
1 bunch ciantro
1 yellow, 1 orange and 1 red pepper, (may substitue a green for one of them)

Chop above ingredients very small, then add following ingredients :

1 can diced jalapenos with juice (or use fresh, finely chopped, to taste)
3 can chopped olives
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (24 oz.) bottle of Zesty Italian Salad dressing, drain off oil
3 cans white shoepeg corn (must be shoepeg)
2 tbsp. vinegar, red or white
2 tbsp. "Cavender's" allpurpose Greek seasoning
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. limejuice

Serve with chips, ENJOY

recipes doesn't call for cucumber but I have used and most people enjoy the taste.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:
1-3/4 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (about 9 whole crackers)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 packages (8 ounces each) fat-free cream cheese, cubed
1 cup (8 ounces) fat-free cottage cheese
Sugar substitute equivalent to 3/4 cup sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat Cool Whip® whipped topping, thawed, divided
13 medium fresh strawberries
4 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a 9-in. springform pan coated with cooking spray. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Hull strawberries if necessary; puree in a food processor. Remove and set aside. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Transfer to the food processor; add cream cheese, cottage cheese and sugar substitute. Cover and process until smooth. Add strawberry puree; cover and process until blended. Transfer to a large bowl; fold in 2 cups whipped topping. Pour into crust. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until set. For garnish, wash strawberries and gently pat with paper towels until completely dry. Cut tops off berries. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate at 50% power; stir until smooth. Dip each berry tip until half of the berry is coated, allowing excess to drip off. Place with tips pointing up on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of springform pan to loosen; remove sides of pan. Arrange berries, chocolate tips up, around edge of cheesecake and place one in the center. Garnish with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12 servings.
Nutrition Facts
One serving: 1 slice
Calories: 245
Fat: 11 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 14 mg
Sodium: 377 mg
Carbohydrate: 26 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 10 g
Diabetic Exch: 2 starch, 2 fat.